"But what?" asked John, wondering what possible criticism Brennan could have in view of Gibson's display of courage.
"But," said Brennan, "he's a grandstander."
"A grandstander?" exclaimed John.
"You said it, after me," said Brennan. "A grandstander, a man who plays to the crowd instead of playing the game for what it's worth."
A surge of exasperation went through John. Was this man incapable of ever believing anything or in anyone?
"Good heavens, Brennan!" he said, hotly. "He risked his life, didn't he?"
"I said he had nerve."
"He did it to save others, didn't he?"
"Others?" said Brennan sarcastically. "Others? Bosh! He did it to be a hero, for public acclamation, for glory, for power. Others? Why, don't you see that he risked the lives of all those others you say he saved just to make himself a hero?"
Brennan's answer, the sarcastic way he gave it, maddened John.